The carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an insect pest that causes damage to various crops and fruit trees throughout the world. In Tunisia, this pest attacks date, pomegranate and citrus by seriously affecting the fruit quality. Therefore, the objective of this work is to investigate genetic variation in the carob moth among and within three host-plants by three RAPD markers. The results showed high genetic diversity in the pest. The mean percentage of polymorphic loci was 78.38 %. The total variance percentage of 5 % among populations and 95 % within the populations is suggestive of the role of sexual reproduction for generating high genetic diversity. The average genetic distances among populations ranged from 0.028 to 0.043. The date population is more related to the pomegranate population compared to citrus specimens. The UPGMA dendrogram and the two-dimensional principal component analysis (PCA) showed that there is no correlation between E. ceratoniae genotypes and their host plants and geographic localisation suggesting that gene flow between populations is independent of geographic distance and appears to be unrestricted.

Investigations into arthropod–aloe associations are focused mostly on aloe pollination and on aloe pests, while little is known about other ecological aspects of these associations. During a broader ecological study on the summer-flowering grassland endemic Aloe lettyae, we documented evidence of two arachnid–aloe interactions and 13 insect taxa occurring on or in parts of A. lettyae plants (n = 1084) in a representative sample of seven A. lettyae populations. Our data suggest that, of the insects observed, only honeybees play a part in A. lettyae pollination, while the other insect species were either visiting or feeding on A. lettyae reproductive plant parts. This paper presents additional records of an herbivorous insect–aloe interaction for the cerambycid beetle Nemotragus helvolus and the drosophilid fly Apenthecia cf. crassiseta, and documents the parasitoid wasp Afrostilba sp. associated with the latter.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out between July and October 2015 across three apiaries in the Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria to assess the parasites associated with the honeybee (Apis mellifera). Two-hundred honeybees were collected twice a month from the colonies in each of the apiaries to detect and identify ectoparasites using the ethanol wash method. Fifty honeybees (one quarter) were sampled from the selected colonies in each of the apiaries and subjected to microscopic examination and dissection for the assessment of associated endoparasites. All the colonies sampled were infested with Varroa destructor and the developmental stages of Acarapis woodi, although there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) observed in the infestation levels of all the colonies sampled. The mean of V. destructor infestation (12.70 ± 1.73/bee/colony) was recorded to be significantly higher in the bee colonies from Imosan apiary in July compared to those sampled from Ogbe (8.70 ± 1.51/bee/colony) and O.O.U. Ago-iwoye (6.10 ± 0.86/bee/ colony) apiaries. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean numbers of bees per colony with light A. woodi infestation recorded in July, August, September and October across apiaries in Ogbe (42.35 ± 1.0/bee/colony), Imosan (40.23 ± 1.0/bee/ colony) and O.O.U. (41.16 ± 0.81/bee/colony), respectively. Apiaries in agro-ecosystems within the southwestern region should be properly maintained or managed against infestation of Varroa destructor and Acarapis woodi to prevent an outbreak or spread of the parasites to other apiaries and other areas where beekeeping is being practiced in Nigeria.

Wetland systems in arid countries can serve as a rich source of biodiversity and an ideal location to study invertebrate species diversity. Two study sites have been delimited in the Chott Zahrez Gharbi characterised by a semi-arid climate, a cold winter and a vegetation cover dominated by halophile species. One site is located north of Zahrez in the Hassi Bahbah region and the second one south of Zahrez in the Zaâfrane region. A comparative study of the Arthropoda communities, focused on Coleoptera and Araneae, was conducted during one year, using pitfall traps (Barber traps) monthly. In total 7344 individuals, belonging to 215 species, including 80 species of Coleoptera and 38 species of Araneae were collected. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H') varies between 0.41 and 2.95 bits. The results showed that Hassi Bahbah is richer and more diverse than Zaâfrane. The humidity and the organic matter are clearly higher in Hassi Bahbah than in Zaâfrane. A detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) showed a clear distinction of the species' groups between the two study areas.

The five-spotted fruit fly, Ceratitis quinaria (Bezzi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is distributed in parts of eastern and western Africa, northern Africa and southern Africa (including South Africa). The species also occurs outside of Africa, in Yemen. The host range of C. quinaria is narrow, with Mangifera indica L. being the main host of commercial importance. Ceratitis quinaria was claimed to be associated with citrus in Sudan although this claim was never substantiated and there has never been any confirmed reared record of C. quinaria on citrus despite numerous surveys of citrus across Africa. In order to verify the type of association that C. quinaria has with citrus, field surveys were carried out in South Africa to determine the distribution and seasonal occurrence of C. quinaria in commercial citrus orchards and the possible natural infestation of citrus by this species. Surveys on distribution of C. quinaria across South Africa were carried out in 1999 and 2000 by trapping with Ceratitislure (containing protein hydrolysate and β-caryophyllene). The seasonal occurrence of C. quinaria in the northern areas of South Africa was determined over two years between 2015 and 2017 by trapping with Enriched Ginger Oil (EGO), a male lure containing α-copaene. In the same trapping period, citrus and other fruit were sampled to determine infestation by C. quinaria. Additionally between 2009 and 2018, citrus fruit was sampled from the trees and ground in other commercial and non-commercial areas in the north of South Africa. All fruit samples collected were incubated for at least five weeks to allow rearing of flies to the pupal and adult stages. Trapping surveys conducted between 1999 and 2000 showed the presence of C. quinaria only in the northern areas of South Africa. Catches of C. quinaria males in EGO-baited traps were low in commercial citrus orchards (peak of catches being lower than 0.05 flies/trap/day). Catches of C. quinaria were mainly recorded outside of the citrus ripening period. No C. quinaria was reared from any of the citrus fruit sampled, even in those areas where the presence of the species was demonstrated by catches in EGO-baited traps. The fruit surveys therefore demonstrated the absence of natural infestation of citrus with C. quinaria in South Africa and supported existing biological information that citrus is not a host for C. quinaria.

The insecticidal potentials of plant oil from neem (Azadirachta indica) seeds and wild basil (Ocimum suave) leaves was applied as individual oils and mixed equal proportion (50:50) against adult house flies (Musca domestica). The experiment was setup on a completely randomised design using two replicates per concentration's formulation. Oils from the extracts of Azadirachta indica and Ocimum suave were formulated as emulsifiable concentrates at 0.005, 0.010, 0.015, 0.20/50 ml of water, and then sprayed on 15 newly emerged reared adult house flies in cages at an hour interval for six hours. There was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the percentage mortality of adult house flies as the concentration increased from 0.005–0.20/50 ml water of both the single formulations (A. indica and O. suave) and the equally mixed 50:50 ratio. There was also significant difference as the time of exposure increased from the first hour to the sixth hour. The concentration of A. indica and O. suave required to cause 50 % mortality of adult house fly was 0.066/50 ml water at 3.4 h and 0.072/50 ml at 3.8 h, respectively, while the concentration of the mixed oils at equal proportion (50:50) required to cause 50 % mortality of house fly was less (0.065/50 ml water) and at 3.4 h. This study has therefore revealed the potency of the plant oil extracts (A. indica and O. suave) as single and mixed at equal proportion (50:50) against house fly (M. domestica). However, the formulation of the mixed plant oil required to cause 50 % mortality of the house fly was less, showing higher potential over the single formulations. Therefore using the mixed plant extracts is recommended for the proper management of house fly.

In vitro effect of the aqueous extract concentrations of the methanol crude extract of Lantana camara flowers and Solanum nigrum fruits were evaluated on the reproduction, feeding response and adult emergence of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella. Aqueous extracts of the two tested plants hindered the oviposition of gravid females and hatchability. Moreover, the extracts prevented feeding by newly hatched larvae. The extracts caused a decrease in adult emergence from the treated potato tubers as compared to the control. In addition, bioassay results indicate that the extract of S. nigrum fruits was more effective than the extract of L. camara flowers on the potato tuber moth.

The new mayfly species Caenis albicans sp. n. and Caenis letabanensis sp. n. (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) from the Kruger National Park, South Africa, are described herein. The new species were collected in the area of the confluence of the Olifants and Letaba Rivers. They belong to the Caenis – TPA group, a group widely distributed in Africa, characterised inter alia by forceps apically having a tuft of long spines. The material examined also contained samples from the Crocodile and Sabie Rivers, with larvae and imagines of Caenis brevipes Kimmins, 1956. The previously unknown larva of this species is also described.

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) is an Asian pest of grapes and other soft fruits that has invaded North America and Europe during the last decade. Here we report its recent occurrence on two islands of the Comoros archipelago in the Mozambique Channel, namely Mayotte and Ngazidja (Grande Comore), in April 2017 and November 2018, respectively. We also document its absence from other African islands in the Mozambique Channel and the Western Indian Ocean including Mayotte until 2013. Drosophila ashburneriTsacas, 1984 is the only member of the suzukii species subgroup known from the Comoros, but it is morphologically distinct and likely distantly related to D. suzukii. Drosophila suzukii has likely been recently introduced to the Comoros archipelago, perhaps from La Réunion island where it first appeared in November 2013. On all of these tropical islands, D. suzukii was found in high-altitude habitats in agreement with its adaptation to cold environments. These results suggest the high susceptibility of highlands in eastern and southern Africa to be infested by this pest in the near future.

Malaria is a public health concern in Zimbabwe and its transmission varies geographically and seasonally, corresponding with the country's rainfall pattern. Information on density and distribution of malaria vectors, species composition, breeding sites and quality assurance of the spray programme is limited for Chiredzi District. This study investigated mosquito species composition and distribution during winter, blood meal sources of adult collections, characteristics of aquatic larval habitats and quality of spraying as well as the insecticide residual activity on sprayed walls. Anopheline larvae were collected from breeding habitats that were subsequently characterised. Adult anophelines were sampled from both inside human dwellings and outdoors. Mosquitoes collected were identified morphologically and further processed to sibling species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) where necessary. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite proteins and multiplex PCR was used to detect blood meal source. WHO cone bioassays were conducted to monitor spray quality and insecticide residual activity on spayed walls. A total of 21 aquatic habitats were identified from which anopheline larvae were sampled. Of these, 9 (42.9 %) were classified as permanent, 7 (33.3 %) as seasonal and 5 (23.8 %) as temporal. Anopheles mosquitoes from both adult and larval collections totalled to 153, with the former collection method accounting for 69.9 % (107) and the latter for 31.1 % (46). The collected mosquitoes were identified as An. quadriannulatus and An. funestus respectively. Out of the blood-fed An. funestus females, 70 % (n = 10) had fed on human blood. None of the adult collected mosquitoes tested positive for P. falciparum circumsporozoite proteins. The aquatic habitats surveyed indicated that breeding sites were mainly man-made. Anopheles funestus was the only malaria vector recorded during this study. This species is a particularly efficient vector and its detection is a cause for concern. Furthermore, 70 % of the adult-collected An. funestus female specimens had fed on humans confirming this species' strong tendency toward anthropophagy. A more comprehensive and year-round investigation is essential to gather appropriate and relevant entomological indices on malaria transmission in Chiredzi so as to enable effective vector control.

Genomic DNA from two isolated gregarious locust populations in Africa had been amplified by using short decamer primers of random sequences. To identify markers that may distinguish between two major locust populations, northern Schistocerca gregaria gregaria, and southern Schistocerca gregaria flaviventris, 20 operon kit (A) primers from both populations were investigated with genomic DNA. Four primers generated low molecular weight polymorphic patterns. The primer (A2) showed a particular DNA amplified band (∼600 bp) from the southern S. g. flaviventris that was not expressed in the northern S. g. gregaria. For further examination, southern blot hybridisation indicated that this sequence is extremely repeated in the genome of the S. g. flaviventris population but not to the northern population. Therefore, this sequence may be highly specific to the southern locusts. Also, the southern population may constitute an evolutionary dichotomy that occurred on the African continent and can separate the populations of the two locusts into two distinct species.

Phlyctinus callosus (Schönherr) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), the banded fruit weevil (BFW), is a sporadic pest, causing damage to fruits, leaves and roots of deciduous fruits and grapevines in the Western Cape Province. Using trunk barriers to prevent the flightless weevils from reaching the leaves and fruits is labour-intensive. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are effective biocontrol agents for the control of soil-borne and above-ground insect pests. Different EPF isolates were screened at 1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml for virulence against different life stages (larvae, pupae and adults) of the BFW. The results indicated that unformulated, laboratory-cultured Beauveria bassiana 1 (Broadband^®) and Metarhizium anisopliae 1 (Meta 69^®) resulted in significantly higher BFW larval mortality of 97 % and 93 %, respectively, than B. bassiana 2 (Eco-Bb^®) with 58 % mortality. Beauveria bassiana 1 (92 %) resulted in significantly higher pupal mortality than B. bassiana 2 (68 %) and M. anisopliae 1 (66 %). Beauveria bassiana 1 caused 90 % adult BFW mortality, which differed significantly from that obtained with B. bassiana 2 (69 %) and M. anisopliae 1 (65 %). A local EPF isolate (EA2) was compared with the commercial EPF isolates, and B. bassiana 1 (92 %) again caused significantly higher mortality of BFW adults compared to B. bassiana 2 (65 %), M. anisopliae 1 (60 %) and M. anisopliae isolate EA2 (64 %). In a sand bioassay using final instar BFW larvae, B. bassiana 1 (85 %) resulted in higher mortality than both B. bassiana 2 (55 %) and M. anisopliae 1 (70 %). The results indicated that all the commercial EPF isolates were effective against the immature and adult stages of the BFW, but with clear differences between isolates. Beauveria bassiana 1 consistently caused the highest BFW mortality under laboratory conditions. Large-scale field trials with the formulated commercial products are recommended to further demonstrate the potential use of this biocontrol agent in integrated pest management programmes.

Avocado (Persea americana) is an important export crop for South Africa, contributing ZAR1.75 billion in export revenue to the gross domestic product. As an export-oriented industry, increasing the exportable percentage of avocado fruit is a major concern. A tussock moth, Bracharoa mixta (Snellen), is reported for the first time on avocado trees, scarring fruit and defoliating leaves. Feeding damage by the larva results in corky tissue development, making the fruit unsuitable for export. The study aimed to determine the identity of the larvae (morphologically and DNA barcoding) and ascertain levels of damage. Sequencing of the barcoding region of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was done. In-field fruit damage assessment of infested trees showed an 11 % scarring damage level resulting in 3.67 % downgrading of fruit. This represents a potential revenue loss of up to ZAR 1352.90/t (2.26 % revenue loss). The defoliating caterpillars also caused an 18.22 % reduction in leaf area. This study documents the potential of B. mixta to cause economic loss and sporadic, isolated outbreaks.

Influence of gibberellic acid (GA₃) on susceptibility of citrus fruits to infestation by Bactrocera zonata was studied under field conditions. The susceptibility of navel orange and mandarin fruits to infestation by PFF was affected firstly by GA₃ treatments in a dose-dependent manner and secondly by host type. GA₃ treatment was more effective on mandarin than navel orange in terms of rate of false punctures and egg-laying density, whereas it showed more effect on the true puncture numbers of navel oranges than mandarins. The results also showed that fruit infestation parameters were inversely proportional to fruit peel hardness. Fruit peel hardness was GA₃ dose-dependent, with significant differences between host types, as well as among GA₃ concentrations, with higher values on navel orange than mandarin. Results also revealed that date (progress of fruit age) had a weak effect on both infestation parameters by PFF, and fruit peel hardness. The study provides clear evidence that exogenous application of GA₃ could be incorporated in IPM programmes for citrus to decrease the infestation rates by PFF.

The South African citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii, is a recently confirmed economic pest in South African avocado. Scarring damage by thrips results in corky tissue development, making the fruit unsuitable for export and potentially costing the country in lost export revenue. Thrips management is complicated by the multiple and protracted flowering patterns of susceptible cultivars. In addition, widespread pesticide resistance of thrips and the negative environmental effects along with minimum residue levels for export fruit limit the application of pesticides for thrips control. Monitoring an insect pest's presence and abundance is the first step in thrips management. This study aimed to investigate S. aurantii's colour preferences, establish the distribution of thrips in the orchard and population dynamics from flowering to fruit establishment. Attractiveness followed the order yellow > blue, white, clear > red, black, purple and orange. Thrips were evenly distributed throughout the orchard, with the highest populations occurring during flowering (August), declining sharply and picking up in the summer months starting December. Yellow sticky cards are recommended as a monitoring tool.

The first epidemic of dengue occurred in Burkina Faso in 1925 and the most recent in 2016. However, there is little available information on the bio-ecology of the main dengue vector and the prevalence of the disease in the country. For better understanding the entomological situations of the main dengue vector Aedes aegypti during the last epidemic of dengue, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Bobo-Dioulasso from November to December 2016. The goals of this study included: i) searching for water containers, and classifying them according to their type and location (indoors or outdoors); ii) examining the containers for the presence of Aedes larvae and iii) evaluating the susceptibility to insecticides mainly used in public health. Our results showed that discarded artefacts and automobile parts filled with rain water were breeding grounds for Ae. aegypti while indoor containers were mud pots (domestic purposes). The other breeding sites were metal drums, paraffin tins and mud pots. Moreover, the adults of Ae. aegypti population from these breeding sites were resistant to organochlorines, carbamates and pyrethroids, but fully susceptible to organophosphates. Our data could provide useful information for national programmes in strategy development.

Various abiotic factors influence the biology and behaviour of arthropods, one of the most prominent abiotic factors is temperature. Thus, it is essential to know the optimal time of day during which sampling of target species should be done to allow for accurate arthropod biodiversity studies. This study considered species richness, abundance and diversity of predaceous arthropods of the Chrysopidae, Mantodea, Araneae and Coccinellidae throughout the day in and around maize fields in the extensively cultivated highveld grasslands of South Africa. Sweep net sampling was done at the following times: 07:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 17:00. Sampling was conducted at three different localities and repeated on three occasions over two growing seasons. At each locality there were three replicates in each of three zones in the agro-ecosystem, i.e. maize field, field margin and untransformed grassland. Shannon diversity index values did not differ significantly between the different sweep net sampling times. Predacious arthropods were, although not significantly so, more abundant within maize fields in the mornings (07:00) and in adjacent grasslands during late afternoon (15:00). This study indicated no particular time to be significantly better suited for sampling of the diversity of the four groups of predacious arthropods in maize agro-ecosystems.

The distribution of carabid beetles in two xerophytic native shrub species was studied by pitfall trapping during four years, in a semi-arid zone of Algeria. A total of 51 beetle species were recorded; 38 and 23 species were encountered in the Atriplex halimus and the Artemisia herba alba L. shrub habitats, respectively. Differences were found in the beetle species richness and abundance among the sampled shrubs and the years of study. The data of the species traits as habitat affinity, food preference and flying ability show that xerophilic, carnivorous and macropterous species dominate in both shrub habitats. In the Atriplex halimus habitat, which has a dense vegetation cover and high humidity conditions, granivorous and hygrophilous species were more numerous. Analysis revealed a significant correlation between beetle abundance and inter-annual rainfall change and a low affinity between the species assemblages of both shrub habitats. Our results suggest that shrub size and species identity play an important role in structuring ground beetle communities.

Efficacy of Spintor^® 24% SC (spinosad) and vinegar were studied to control Culex pipiens larvae by testing different concentrations of spinosad (10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 µl/10 ml) or vinegar (125, 250, 500 and 750 µl/10 ml). The percentage mortality of larvae was increased by increasing concentrations and time. While 100 % mortality was obtained at the concentration 1000 µl/10 ml of spinosad after 48 h, in the case of vinegar treatment 100 % mortality was obtained at the concentration of 750 µl/10 ml after 72 h. Both spinosad and vinegar exhibited a histological effect on the midgut by degeneration of the epithelial cells, the disintegration of the plasma and basement membranes and extensive disruption of the cellular microvillar. Generally, spinosad manifested a higher level of activity against Cu. pipiens larvae than vinegar.